'Sexually Violent' Sex Offender Moves in Hudson Valley

Police warned the public after a high-risk sex offender who beat, raped and sodomized a woman moved to a popular area in the Hudson Valley.

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The Dutchess County Sheriff's Office notified residents that Level-3 sex offender Ralph Hankerson moved to Rock Hill Lane in the Town of Dover.

Level-3 sex offenders are considered to have the highest risk of a repeat offense and are considered the greatest risk to the public.

According to Google Maps, Hankerson's new home is 5 minutes from Wingdale Elementary School and 8 minutes from Dover High School. His home is also near Wingdale Beer & Liquor, Fairwind Auto & Repair Sales, Dutchess Motor Lodge, Big W's Roadside Bar B Que, Wingdale Pizza Express, Ben's Deli and Dutchess Exotics Pet Supply.

In 1999, Hankerson raped, sodomized and sexually abused a 25-year-old woman, according to the New York State Sex Offenders database. He also used a firearm and beat the victim.

In 2002 he was sentenced to 17 years in prison. He's labeled on the New York State Sex Offenders database as a "Sexually Violent Offender."

Police describe the 51-year-old as being a 6'3," 170-pound black man.